Four candidates have nominated for Labor preselection to replace Wade Noonan in the state seat of Williamstown.
His former long-time advisor Fiona Ward will vie for the coveted seat against Maurice Blackburn lawyer Brendan Johnson, treasury staffer Jesse Overton-Skinner and Level Crossing Removal Authority director Melissa Horne.
Victorian ALP assistant state secretary Kosmos Samaras said there would be a rank and file internal election of Williamstown branch members on October 22 and 23, with the outcome known on November 15.
Ms Ward, 38, a married mother of two and Newport resident, also previously worked as electorate officer for Nicola Roxon. She declined to comment except to confirm her nomination.
Mr Johnson, 44, a married father of four and Yarraville resident for 16 years, is a senior associate at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, heading the WorkCover team at Sunshine.
“I’m committed to creating opportunities for underprivileged communities in the west to access pathways to employment, improving mental health resources and our educational system, creating better access to childcare services and sporting facilities, and providing better road infrastructure and public transport services,” he said.
An advisor to treasurer Tim Pallas, Ms Overton-Skinner, 29, said she grew up in Yarraville where she currently lives. “I’m a local and see the opportunities and challenges we face in the inner west every day,” she said.
“We’re a community people want to be a part of, but improving housing affordability, continuing to invest in education and childcare and more transport infrastructure are essential to support our community.”
Ms Horne, who also heads the SKY High lobby group for a new inner west secondary school, declined to comment.
